Hyderabad is facing a troubling issue with over 8,000 auto-rickshaws that are operating with fake documents, as per reports. These vehicles, deemed unfit, are allowed on roads due to alleged cooperation between the Road Transport Authority (RTA) officials and agents using fraudulent papers for ownership transfers and permits.
Passengers often encounter drivers demanding high fares without using meters. Many of these autos are not safe but continue to operate, risking passenger safety. This issue persists under the watch of authorities.
The City Auto & Motor Cab Drivers Welfare Society highlights that these unfit autos should have been scrapped long ago. The Society’s president, Mohammed Mahmood Hussain Makke, points out that although records show over 80,000 autos were scrapped, numerous unfit vehicles still run in Hyderabad. He attributes this to the negligence of higher authorities.
Mahmood warns about the dangers these autos pose, noting that Greater Hyderabad has over 1.40 lakh autos, including more than 15,000 illegal ones. He claims collaboration between RTA officials and authorized scrap dealers leads to these autos being sold unlawfully.
Despite multiple complaints to the Transport Department and other officials about the illegal sale and flawed scrapping policy, no action has been taken. M Dayanand, General Secretary of the Auto Motor Welfare Association, highlights fraudulent practices in ownership and permit transfers at RTA offices.
Dayanand reveals that in the North zone RTA office Trimulgherry, 8,131 autos were illegally transferred using fake documents. He explains that transfer applications often proceed with only the seller present, supported by false address proofs like fake Aadhar Cards. Bribes of Rs 1,300 per file are reportedly shared among officials.
U Rajender, another activist, adds that despite numerous complaints about RTA office frauds, no measures have been taken. He demands an investigation into these ongoing scams.
